Photoluminescent vehicle reading lamp

ABSTRACT

A vehicle reading lamp is provided. The vehicle reading lamp includes an outer lens and a first surface and a second surface positioned behind the outer lens. A first photoluminescent structure is coupled to the first surface and a second photoluminescent structure is coupled to the second surface. A first light source is included for exciting the first photoluminescent structure and a second light source is included for exciting the second photoluminescent structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/156,869, filed Jan. 16, 2014, and entitled “VEHICLE DOMELIGHTING SYSTEM WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE,” which is aContinuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/086,442,filed Nov. 21, 2013, and entitled “VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITHPHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE,” the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle lighting systems, andmore particularly, to vehicle lighting systems employingphotoluminescent structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Illumination arising from photoluminescent structures offers a uniqueand attractive viewing experience. It is therefore desired toincorporate such photoluminescent structures in vehicle lighting systemsto provide ambient and task lighting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle reading lampis provided. The vehicle reading lamp includes an outer lens and a firstsurface and a second surface positioned behind the outer lens. A firstphotoluminescent structure is coupled to the first surface and a secondphotoluminescent structure is coupled to the second surface. A firstlight source is included for exciting the first photoluminescentstructure and a second light source is included for exciting the secondphotoluminescent structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle readinglamp is provided. The vehicle reading lamp includes an outer lens and afirst surface and a second surface positioned behind the outer lens. Afirst photoluminescent structure containing a red-emittingphotoluminescent material is coupled to the first surface and a secondphotoluminescent structure containing a green-emitting photoluminescentmaterial is coupled to the second surface. A first LED is included forexciting the red-emitting photoluminescent material and a second LED isincluded for exciting the green-emitting photoluminescent material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle readinglamp is provided. The vehicle reading lamp includes an outer lens and atleast one surface positioned behind the outer lens. At least onephotoluminescent structure is coupled to the at least one surface and atleast one light source is included for projecting light onto the atleast one photoluminescent structure. The at least one photoluminescentstructure converts the projected light into an output light of a visiblecolor that is emitted towards the outer lens.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front passenger compartment of anautomotive vehicle having various illuminated fixtures;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear passenger compartment of theautomotive vehicle having various illuminated fixtures;

FIG. 3A illustrates a photoluminescent structure rendered as a coating;

FIG. 3B illustrates the photoluminescent structure rendered as adiscrete particle;

FIG. 3C illustrates a plurality photoluminescent structures rendered asdiscrete particles and incorporated into a separate structure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a vehicle lighting system employing a front-litconfiguration;

FIG. 5 illustrates the vehicle lighting system employing a backlitconfiguration;

FIG. 6 illustrates a control system of the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a backlit assembly provided in a center console of anautomotive vehicle;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of a backlit interactivemember taken along lines VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a vehicle dome lightingsystem.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front vehicle passenger compartment having atleast one photoluminescent reading lamp, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a side diagrammatic view of a reading lamp, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a bottom diagrammatic view of the reading lamp of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a vehicle lighting system employing aphotoluminescent structure coupled to a sun visor, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle lighting system shown inFIG. 13, wherein the sun visor is in a use position; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle lighting system shown inFIG. 13, wherein the sun visor is in a stored position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detaileddesign and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to showfunction overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

The following disclosure describes a vehicle lighting system in which avehicle fixture receives a photoluminescent structure for converting aprimary emission into a secondary emission generally having a new color.For purposes of this disclosure, a vehicle fixture refers to anyinterior or exterior piece of vehicle equipment, or part thereof,suitable for receiving the photoluminescent structure described herein.While the implementation of the vehicle lighting system described hereinis primarily directed towards automotive vehicle use, it should beappreciated that the vehicle lighting system may also be implemented inother types of vehicles designed to transport one or more passengerssuch as, but not limited to, watercrafts, trains, and aircrafts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a passenger compartment 10 of an automotivevehicle is generally shown having a variety of exemplary vehiclefixtures 12 a-12 g located in the front and rear of the passengercompartment 10. The fixtures 12 a-12 g generally correspond to aheadliner, a floor mat, a door trim panel, and various parts of a seatincluding a seat base, a backrest, a headrest, and a seat back,respectively. For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, eachfixture 12 a-12 g may receive a photoluminescent structure, furtherdescribed below, on a selected area 14 a-14 f of each fixture 12 a-12 f.With respect to the vehicle lighting system described herein, it shouldbe appreciated that the selected area 12 a-12 f is not limited to anyparticular shape or size and may include portions of a fixture havingplanar and/or non-planar configurations. Although some fixtures 12 a-12g have been exemplarily provided, it should be appreciated that otherfixtures may be used in accordance with the vehicle lighting systemdescribed herein. Such fixtures may include instrument panels andcomponents thereon, interactive mechanisms (e.g. push buttons, switches,dials, and the like), indicating devices (e.g. speedometer, tachometer,etc.), printed surfaces, in addition to exterior fixtures such as, butnot limited to, keyless entry buttons, badges, side markers, licenseplate lamps, trunk lamps, headlights, and tail lights.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a photoluminescent structure 16 is generallyshown rendered as a coating (e.g. a film) capable of being applied to avehicle fixture, a discrete particle capable of being implanted in avehicle fixture, and a plurality of discrete particles incorporated intoa separate structure capable of being applied to a vehicle fixture,respectively. At the most basic level, the photoluminescent structure 16includes an energy conversion layer 18 that may be provided as a singlelayer or a multilayer structure, as shown through broken lines in FIGS.3A and 3B. The energy conversion layer 18 may include one or morephotoluminescent materials having energy converting elements selectedfrom a phosphorescent or a fluorescent material and formulated toconvert an inputted electromagnetic radiation into an outputtedelectromagnetic radiation generally having a longer wavelength andexpressing a color that is not characteristic of the inputtedelectromagnetic radiation. The difference in wavelength between theinputted and outputted electromagnetic radiations is referred to as theStokes shift and serves as the principle driving mechanism for theabovementioned energy conversion process, often referred to as downconversion.

The energy conversion layer 18 may be prepared by dispersing thephotoluminescent material in a polymer matrix to form a homogenousmixture using a variety of methods. Such methods may include preparingthe energy conversion layer 18 from a formulation in a liquid carriermedium and coating the energy conversion layer 18 to a desired planarand/or non-planar substrate of a vehicle fixture. The energy conversionlayer 18 coating may be deposited on the selected vehicle fixture bypainting, screen printing, spraying, slot coating, dip coating, rollercoating, and bar coating. Alternatively the energy conversion layer 18may be prepared by methods that do not use a liquid carrier medium. Forexample, a solid state solution (homogenous mixture in a dry state) ofone or more photoluminescent materials in a polymer matrix may beconverted to the energy conversion layer 18 by extrusion, injectionmolding, compression molding, calendaring, and thermoforming. Ininstances where one or more energy conversion layers 18 are rendered asparticles, the single or multi-layered energy conversion layers 18 maybe implanted into the chosen vehicle fixture instead of applying it as acoating. When the energy conversion layer 18 includes a multilayerformulation, each layer may be sequentially coated, or the layers can beseparately prepared and later laminated or embossed together to form anintegral layer. Alternatively, the layers may be coextruded to preparean integrated multi-layered energy conversion structure.

Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the photoluminescent structure 16 mayoptionally include at least one stability layer 20 to protect thephotoluminescent material contained within the energy conversion layer18 from photolytic and thermal degradation to provide sustainedemissions of outputted electromagnetic radiation. The stability layer 20may be configured as a separate layer and is optically coupled andadhered to the energy conversion layer 18 or otherwise integrated withthe energy conversion layer 18 provided a suitable polymer matrix isselected. The photoluminescent structure 16 may also optionally includea protection layer 22 optically coupled and adhered to the stabilitylayer 20 or other layer to protect the photoluminescent structure 16from physical and chemical damage arising from environmental exposure.

The stability layer 20 and/or the protective layer 22 may be combinedwith the energy conversion layer 18 to form an integratedphotoluminescent structure 16 through sequential coating or printing ofeach layer, or by sequential lamination or embossing. Alternatively,several layers may be combined by sequential coating, lamination, orembossing to form a substructure, and the required substructure thenlaminated or embossed together to form the integrated photoluminescentstructure 16. Once formed, the photoluminescent structure 16 may beapplied to a chosen vehicle fixture. Alternatively, the photoluminescentstructure 16 may be incorporated into the chosen vehicle fixture as oneor more discrete multilayered particles. Alternatively still, thephotoluminescent structure 16 may be provided as one or more discretemultilayered particles dispersed in a polymer formulation that issubsequently applied to the chosen vehicle fixture as a contiguousstructure. Additional information regarding the construction ofphotoluminescent structures is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,232,533entitled “PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTUREFOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINEDSECONDARY EMISSION,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a vehicle lighting system 24 is generallyshown according to a front-lit configuration (FIG. 4) and a backlitconfiguration (FIG. 5). In both configurations, the vehicle lightingsystem 24 includes a photoluminescent structure 16 rendered as a coatingand applied to a substrate 40 of a vehicle fixture 42. Thephotoluminescent structure 16 includes an energy conversion layer 18 andoptionally includes a stability layer 20 and/or a protective layer 22,as described previously. The energy conversion layer 18 includes ared-emitting photoluminescent material X₁, a green-emittingphotoluminescent material X₂, and a blue-emitting photoluminescentmaterial X₃ dispersed in a polymer matrix 44. The red, green, andblue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂, and X₃ are chosenbecause varying mixtures of red, green, and blue light will enable avariety of color sensations to be duplicated. As further describedbelow, an excitation source 26 is operable to excite each of the red,green, and blue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂, and X₃ invarious combinations to produce different colored light, which isallowed to escape from the photoluminescent structure 16 to provideambient or task lighting.

The excitation source 26 is generally shown in an external locationrelative to the photoluminescent structure 16 and is operable to emit aprimary emission having a light content defined by a first inputtedelectromagnetic radiation represented as directional arrow 28, a secondinputted electromagnetic radiation represented as directional arrow 30,and/or a third inputted electromagnetic radiation represented asdirectional arrow 32. The contribution of each inputted electromagneticradiation 28, 30, 32 in the primary emission depends on an activationstate of a corresponding light emitting diode (LED) configured to outputlight at a unique peak wavelength. In both configurations, the firstinputted electromagnetic radiation 28 is emitted from blue LED 34 at apeak wavelength λ₁ selected from a blue spectral color range, which isdefined herein as the range of wavelengths generally expressed as bluelight (˜450-495 nanometers). The second inputted electromagneticradiation 30 is emitted from blue LED 36 at a peak wavelength λ₂ alsoselected from the blue spectral color range and the third inputtedelectromagnetic radiation 32 is emitted from blue LED 38 at a peakwavelength λ₃ further selected from the blue spectral color range.

By virtue of peak wavelengths λ₁, λ₂, and λ₃ having different lengths,blue LEDs 34, 36, and 38 may each be primarily responsible for excitingone of the red, green, and blue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁,X₂, X₃. Specifically, blue LED 34 is primarily responsible for excitingthe red-emitting photoluminescent material X₁, blue LED 36 is primarilyresponsible for exciting the green-emitting photoluminescent materialX₂, and blue LED 38 is primarily responsible for exciting theblue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃. For more efficient energyconversion, the red-emitting photoluminescent material X₁ is selected tohave a peak absorption wavelength corresponding to the peak wavelengthλ₁ associated with the first inputted electromagnetic radiation 28. Whenexcited, the red-emitting photoluminescent material X₁ converts thefirst inputted electromagnetic radiation 28 into a first outputtedelectromagnetic radiation represented as directional arrow 46 and havinga peak emission wavelength E₁ that includes a wavelength of a redspectral color range, which is defined herein as the range ofwavelengths generally expressed as red light (˜620-750 nanometers).Likewise, the green-emitting photoluminescent material X₂ is selected tohave a peak absorption wavelength corresponding to the peak wavelengthλ₂ of the second inputted electromagnetic radiation 30. When excited,the green-emitting photoluminescent material X₂ converts the secondelectromagnetic radiation 30 into a second outputted electromagneticradiation represented as directional arrow 48 and having a peak emissionwavelength E₂ that includes a wavelength of a green spectral colorrange, which is defined herein as the range of wavelengths generallyexpressed as green light (˜526-606 nanometers). Lastly, theblue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃ is selected to have a peakabsorption wavelength corresponding to the peak wavelength λ₃ of thethird inputted electromagnetic radiation 32. When excited, theblue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃ converts the third inputtedelectromagnetic radiation 32 into a third outputted electromagneticradiation represented as arrow 50 and having a peak emission wavelengthE₃ that includes a longer wavelength of the blue spectral color range.

Given the relatively narrow band of the blue spectral color range, it isrecognized that some spectral overlap may occur between the absorptionspectrums of the red, green, and blue-emitting photoluminescentmaterials X₁, X₂, X₃. This may result in the inadvertent excitement ofmore than one of the red, green, and blue-emitting photoluminescentmaterials X₁, X₂, X₃ despite only one of the blue LEDs 34, 36, 38 beingactive, thereby producing unexpected color mixtures. Thus, if desiringgreater color separation, the red, green, and blue-emittingphotoluminescent materials X₁, X₂, X₃ should be selected to have narrowband absorption spectrums for minimizing any spectral overlaptherebetween and peak wavelengths λ₁, λ₂, and λ₃ should be spaced apartto enable sufficient separation between the peak absorption wavelengthsof the red, green, and blue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂,X₃. In this manner, depending on which of the red, green, andblue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂, X₃ are excited, asecondary emission having a more predictable light content may beproduced. The secondary emission may express a variety of colors foundin a typical RGB color space, including colors that are predominatelyred, green, blue, or any combination thereof. For example, when blueLEDs 34, 36, and 38 are activated simultaneously, the secondary emissionmay contain an additive light mixture of red, green, and blue light,which is generally perceived as white light. Other color sensationsfound in the RGB color space may be produced by activating blue LEDs 34,36, and 38 in different combinations and/or changing the outputintensity associated with the blue LEDs 34, 36, 38 through currentcontrol, pulse width modulation (PWM), or other means.

Regarding the vehicle lighting system 24 disclosed herein, blue LEDs 34,36, and 38 are chosen as the excitation source 26 to take advantage ofthe relative cost benefit attributed therewith when used in vehiclelighting applications. Another advantage of using blue LEDs 34, 36, and38 is the relatively low visibility of blue light, which may presentless of a distraction to a vehicle driver and other occupants ininstances where the primary emission must propagate in plain view beforereaching the photoluminescent structure 16. Nevertheless, it should beappreciated that the vehicle lighting system 24 may also be implementedusing other lighting devices as well as sunlight and/or ambient light.Furthermore, given the range of vehicle fixtures capable of receivingthe photoluminescent structure 16, it should also be appreciated thatthe location of the excitation source 26 will naturally vary dependingon the makeup of a particular vehicle fixture and may be external orinternal to the photoluminescent structure 16 and/or the vehiclefixture. It should further be appreciated that the excitation source 26may provide the primary emission directly or indirectly to thephotoluminescent structure 16. That is, the excitation source 26 may bepositioned such that the primary emission propagates towards thephotoluminescent structure 16 or positioned such that the primaryemission is distributed to the photoluminescent structure 16 via a lightpipe, optical device, or the like.

The energy conversion process used by each of the red, green, andblue-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂, X₃ described above maybe variously implemented given the wide selection of energy conversionelements available. According to one implementation, the energyconversion process occurs through a single absorption/emission eventdriven by one energy conversion element. For instance, the red-emittingphotoluminescent material X₁ may include a phosphor exhibiting a largeStokes shift for absorbing the first inputted electromagnetic radiation28 and subsequently emitting the first outputted electromagneticradiation 46. Likewise, the green-emitting photoluminescent material X₂may also include a phosphor exhibiting a large Stokes shift forabsorbing the second inputted electromagnetic radiation 30 and emittingthe second outputted electromagnetic radiation. One benefit of using aphosphor or other energy conversion element exhibiting a large Stokesshift is that greater color separation may be achieved between aninputted electromagnetic and an outputted electromagnetic radiation dueto a reduction in spectral overlap between the corresponding absorptionand emission spectrums. Similarly, by exhibiting a single Stokes shift,the absorption and/or emission spectrums for a given photoluminescentmaterial are less likely to have spectral overlap with the absorptionand/or emission spectrums of another photoluminescent material therebyproviding greater color separation between the selected photoluminescentmaterials.

According to another implementation, the energy conversion processoccurs through an energy cascade of absorption/emission events driven bya plurality of energy conversion elements with relatively shorter Stokesshifts. For example, the red-emitting photoluminescent material X₁ maycontain fluorescent dyes, whereby some or all of the first inputtedelectromagnetic radiation 28 is absorbed to emit a first intermediateelectromagnetic radiation having a longer wavelength and a color that isnot characteristic of the first inputted electromagnetic radiation 28.The first intermediate electromagnetic radiation is then absorbed asecond time to emit a second intermediate electromagnetic radiationhaving yet a longer wavelength and a color that is not characteristic ofthe first intermediate electromagnetic radiation. The secondintermediate electromagnetic radiation may be further converted withadditional energy conversion elements exhibiting the appropriate Stokesshifts until the desired peak emission wavelength E₁ associated with thefirst outputted electromagnetic radiation 46 is obtained. A similarenergy conversion process may also be observed for the green-emittingphotoluminescent material X₂. While energy conversion processesimplementing energy cascades may produce broad color spectrums,increasing the number of Stokes shifts may result in less efficient downconversions due to a greater likelihood of spectral overlap between theassociated absorption and emission spectrums. In addition, if desiringgreater color separation, additional consideration should be exercisedsuch that the absorption and/or emission spectrums of a photoluminescentmaterial have minimal overlap with the absorption and/or emissionspectrums of another photoluminescent material also implementing anenergy cascade or some other energy conversion process.

Regarding the blue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃, successiveconversions of the third inputted electromagnetic radiation 32 via anenergy cascade are unlikely to be necessary since the inputtedelectromagnetic radiation 32 and the outputted electromagnetic radiation50 are both predisposed to have relatively close peak wavelengths in theblue spectral color range. Thus, the blue photoluminescent material X₃may include an energy conversion element exhibiting a small Stokesshift. If desiring greater color separation, the blue photoluminescentmaterial X₃ should be selected with an emission spectrum having minimalspectral overlap with the absorption spectrums of the red andgreen-emitting photoluminescent materials X₁, X₂. Alternatively, anultraviolet LED may replace blue LED 38 to enable an energy conversionelement exhibiting a larger Stokes shift to be used and to provide moreflexible spacing opportunities for the emission spectrum of theblue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃ within the blue spectralcolor range. For front-lit configurations, the photoluminescentstructure 16 may alternatively include a narrowband reflective materialconfigured to reflect the third inputted electromagnetic radiation 32emitted from blue LED 38 in lieu of performing an energy conversionthereto to express blue light, which obviates the need for including theblue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃. Alternatively, theaforementioned reflective material may be configured to reflect aselected amount of the first and second inputted electromagneticradiations 28, 30 to express blue light, thereby obviating the need forincluding the blue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃ and blue LED38. For back-lit configurations, blue light may alternatively beexpressed by merely relying on some amount of the third inputtedelectromagnetic radiation 32 passing through the photoluminescentstructure 16, wherein the blue-emitting photoluminescent material X₃ hasbeen omitted.

Since many energy conversion elements are Lambertian emitters, theresulting secondary emissions may be propagated in all directions,including directions pointing away from a desired output surface 52 ofthe photoluminescent structure 16. As a result, some or all of thesecondary emissions may be trapped (total internal reflection) orabsorbed by corresponding structures (e.g. the vehicle fixture 42),thereby reducing the luminosity of the photoluminescent structure 16. Tominimize the aforementioned phenomenon, the photoluminescent structure16 may optionally include at least one wavelength-selective layer 54formulated to redirect (e.g. reflect) wayward propagating secondaryemissions towards the output surface 52, which also behaves as an inputsurface 56 with respect to front-lit configuration shown in FIG. 4. Ininstances where the input surface 56 and output surface 52 aredifferent, as generally shown by the backlit configuration in FIG. 5,the wavelength-selective layer 54 should readily transmit any primaryemissions and redirect any wayward propagating secondary emissionstowards the output surface 52.

In both configurations, the wavelength-selective layer 54 is positionedbetween the substrate 40 and the energy conversion layer 18 so that atleast some secondary emissions propagating towards the substrate 40 areredirected towards the output surface 52 to maximize the output of thesecondary emission from the photoluminescent structure 16. To this end,the wavelength-selective layer 54 should at the very least be preparedfrom materials that scatter, but do not absorb, the peak emissionwavelengths E₁, E₂, E₃ associated with the first, second, and thirdoutputted electromagnetic radiations 46, 48, 50, respectively. Thewavelength-selective layer 54 may be rendered as a coating and isoptically coupled to the energy conversion layer 18 and adhered to boththe energy conversion layer 18 and the substrate 40 using some of thepreviously described methods, or other suitable methods.

Referring to FIG. 6, the excitation source 26 may be electricallycoupled to a processor 60, which provides power to the excitation source26 via a power source 62 (e.g. onboard vehicle power supply) andcontrols the operational state of the excitation source and/or theintensity levels of the primary emission of the excitation source 26.Control instructions to the processor 60 may be executed automaticallyfrom a program stored within memory. Additionally or alternatively,control instructions may be provided from a vehicle device or system viaat least one input 64. Additionally or alternatively still, controlinstructions may be provided to the processor 60 via any conventionaluser input mechanism 66, such as, but not limited to, push buttons,switches, touchscreens, and the like. While the processor 60 is shownelectrically coupled to one excitation source 26 in FIG. 6, it should beappreciated that the processor 60 may also be configured to controladditional excitation sources using any of the methods described above.

Various vehicle lighting systems will now be described in greaterdetail. As described below, each system utilizes one or morephotoluminescent structures in conjunction with a vehicle fixture toprovide an enhanced viewing experience to vehicle occupants.

Backlit Assembly

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a backlit assembly 67 is generally shown andwill be described herein as incorporating the vehicle lighting system 24in a backlit configuration described previously with reference to FIG. 5and may employ any alternative configurations associated therewith. Asshown in FIG. 7, the backlit assembly 67 is exemplarily provided as acenter console having a support member 68 (e.g. a trimplate) supportingone or more backlit interactive members, indicated by reference numerals70 a, 70 b, and 70 c. For purposes of illustration, the backlitinteractive members 70 a, 70 b, 70 c are embodied as a push button, arotary knob, and a toggle switch, respectively, each configurable toenable a user to interface with one or more vehicle features such as anaudio system, a climate control system, a navigation system, etc.

Referring to FIG. 8, a cross sectional view of backlit interactivemember 70 a is shown according to one embodiment. With respect to theillustrated embodiment, backlit interactive member 70 a at leastpartially extends through an opening formed in the support member 68 andmay be mounted in the backlit assembly 67 in any conventional manner.The backlit interactive member 70 a may include a light conducting bodyhaving a front side 78 and at least one sidewall 80, and may be formedthrough injection molding or other suitable methods. While the backlitinteractive member 70 a is embodied as a push button in FIG. 8, itshould be appreciated that other embodiments are also possible such as arotary knob, a toggle switch, or the like.

According to the present embodiment, the excitation source 26 ispositioned to provide a primary emission in the form of backlighting, asrepresented by directional arrow 84 to the backlit interactive member 70a. The primary emission 84 may be provided directly from the excitationsource 26 or indirectly via a light pipe, optical device, or the likeand may contain one or more inputted electromagnetic radiations, eachhaving a uniquely associated peak wavelength and each being emitted froma corresponding LED.

The primary emission 84 is supplied to the front side 78 of the backlitinteractive member 70 a and is transmitted therethrough. The primaryemission 84 is then received in the photoluminescent structure 16, whichmay convert substantially all of the primary emission into a secondaryemission containing one or more outputted electromagnetic radiations,each having a uniquely associated peak emission wavelength.Alternatively, the photoluminescent structure 16 may convert some of theprimary emission into the secondary emission and transmit the rest as anunconverted outputted electromagnetic radiation. In any event, one ormore outputted electromagnetic radiations, collectively represented byarrow 86, exit through the output surface 52 of the photoluminescentstructure 16 and express a color sensation found in an RGB color space.

To bolster the luminosity of the photoluminescent structure 16, awavelength-selective layer 54 may be provided therein for redirectingany backscattered secondary emissions 86 towards the output surface 52.Optionally, an opaque layer 88 is coupled to at least thephotoluminescent structure 16 and defines an opening 90 that ischaracteristic of an insignia through which the secondary emission 86 istransmitted, thereby illuminating the insignia.

Vehicle Dome Lighting System

Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic diagram is shown for implementing avehicle dome lighting system 92 in a vehicle 93. The vehicle domelighting system 92 incorporates the vehicle lighting system 24 in afront-lit configuration as described previously in reference to FIG. 4and may employ any alternative configurations associated therewith. Asshown in FIG. 9, the photoluminescent structure 16 is contiguouslycoupled to a vehicle headliner 94 and a plurality of excitation sources26 a-26 g are each positioned to emit a primary emission towards anassociated area 96 a-96 g of the photoluminescent structure 16. Theprimary emission emitted from any given excitation source 26 a-26 g maycontain one or more inputted electromagnetic radiations, each having auniquely associated peak wavelength and each being emitted from acorresponding LED. As previously described, the photoluminescentstructure 16 may convert substantially all of the primary emission intoa secondary emission containing one or more outputted electromagneticradiations, each having a uniquely associated peak emission wavelength.Alternatively, the photoluminescent structure 16 may reflect some of theprimary emission and convert the rest into the secondary emission. Ineither configuration, the photoluminescent structure 16 may optionallyinclude the wavelength-selective layer 54 for redirecting anybackscattered secondary emission to bolster the luminosity of thephotoluminescent structure 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, excitation sources 26 a-26 d are eachoperably coupled to an associated headrest 98 a-98 d and opticallyconfigured to illuminate a corresponding corner area 96 a-96 d of thephotoluminescent structure 16 in a generally circular pattern.Excitation sources 26 e and 26 f are each optically coupled to anassociated b-pillar 100 e, 100 f and are each optically configured toilluminate a corresponding side area 96 e, 96 f of the photoluminescentstructure 16 in a generally half-circular pattern. Lastly, excitationsource 26 g is operably coupled to the vehicle headliner 94 andoptically configured to illuminate a corresponding central area 96 g ina generally circular pattern. As can be seen in FIG. 9, such anarrangement provides the opportunity for overlap between associatedareas 96 a-96 g that are adjacent to one another, thereby covering asubstantial total area of the photoluminescent structure 16. As such,the vehicle dome lighting system 92 may be controlled (e.g. viaprocessor 60) to provide a total or isolated lighting experience byactivating all or some of the excitation sources 26 a-26 g. Additionallyor alternatively, the use of multiple excitation sources 26 a-26 g,enables any given associated area 96 a-96 g of the photoluminescentstructure 16 to produce a color sensation (composed of outputtedelectromagnetic radiation and/or reflected inputted electromagneticradiation) found in an RGB color space that is similar or different tothe color sensation produced by any other associated area 96 a-96 g.This may be achieved by manipulating the light content of the primaryemission emitted from any active excitation source 26 a-26 g.

Vehicle Reading Lamp

Referring to FIG. 10, the front vehicle passenger compartment 102 of awheeled vehicle 104 is generally illustrated having at least one readinglamp 106 assembled in an overhead console 108. In the illustratedembodiment, the overhead console 108 is assembled to the interior sideof the headliner of the front vehicle passenger compartment 102 andpositioned in a central location in the front vehicle passengercompartment 102. As exemplarily shown, two reading lamps 106 areassembled to the overhead console 108, one positioned to provide greateraccess and lighting to a driver of the vehicle 104 and the otherpositioned to provide greater access and lighting to a front vehiclepassenger seat occupant. Each reading lamp 106 has a visible outer lensand may be activated by switch, such as a proximity switch having aproximity sensor (e.g. capacitive sensor), a mechanically depressiblefinger push, or other means, to provide task lighting, particularly inlow light or dark conditions. While two reading lamps 106 have beengenerally shown in FIG. 10, it should be appreciated that one or morereading lamps 106 can be assembled at other locations of the overheadconsole 108 or other locations on board the vehicle 104.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a reading lamp 106 is shown according toone embodiment. As best shown in FIG. 11, the reading lamp 106 includesan outer lens 110 and a first surface 112 and a second surface 114positioned behind the outer lens 110. A first photoluminescent structure116 is coupled to the first surface 112 and a second photoluminescentstructure 118 is coupled to the second surface 114. A first light source120 is provided to excite the first photoluminescent structure 116 toemit a first colored light for illuminating the outer lens 110 and asecond light source 122 is provided to excite the secondphotoluminescent structure 118 to emit a second colored light forilluminating the outer lens 110. The illuminated outer lens 110 maydirect light illumination in an output to serve as a map or readinglight.

Each of the first and second photoluminescent structures 116, 118 may becoupled to the corresponding first and second surfaces 112, 114 in anysuitable manner. The first light source 120 can be coupled to the firstsurface 112 and the second light source 122 can be coupled to the secondsurface 114. As best shown in FIG. 12, each of the first and secondlight sources 120, 122 can be peripherally located on the correspondingfirst and second surfaces 112, 114. Additionally, each of the first andsecond light sources 120, 122 can be configured as side-emitting LEDssuch that outputted light from the first light source 120 is projectedonly onto the first photoluminescent structure 116 and outputted lightfrom the second light source 122 is only projected onto the secondphotoluminescent structure 118. In one embodiment, the first and secondlight sources 120, 122 are each either a blue LED or an ultraviolet LEDand the first photoluminescent structure 116 contains a red-emittingphotoluminescent material and the second photoluminescent structure 118contains a green-emitting photoluminescent material.

Referring still to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the firstand second surfaces 112, 114 can be disposed opposite one another andare each oriented at an acute angle relative to the outer lens 110. Thefirst surface 112 can be configured to redirect backscattered lightoriginating from the first photoluminescent structure 116 towards theouter lens 110 and the second surface 114 can be configured to redirectbackscattered light originating from the second photoluminescentstructure 118 towards the outer lens 110. With respect to the presentembodiment, the first and second surfaces 112, 114 can each be a surfaceof a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB) 124, 126 that has areflective coating such as a white solder mask or conformal coat forredirecting backscattered light originating from the corresponding firstand second photoluminescent structures 116, 118 towards the outer lens110.

As is further shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the reading lamp 106 can alsoinclude a third light source 128 positioned between the first and secondsurfaces 112, 114 and disposed on a third surface 130, which can be thatof a corresponding PCB 132 or other support structure. Additionally, thethird light source 128 can be an LED (e.g. blue LED) oriented todirectly illuminate the outer lens 110. In this manner, when lightsources 120, 122, and 128 are activated, the outer lens 110 can besimultaneously illuminated with light outputted from the firstphotoluminescent structure 116, the second photoluminescent structure118, and the third light source 128. In one embodiment, the outer lens110 can be a diffusing optic configured to disperse light received fromthe first, second, and/or third light sources 120, 122, 128 so thatlight leaving the outer lens 110 is more evenly distributed.Additionally, the PCBs 124, 126, 132 can be supported within a housing133 that is coupled to the outer lens 110.

In operation, the activation state of each light source 120, 122, 128can be independently controlled by a processor (e.g. processor 60). Inthis manner, one or more of the light sources 120, 122, 128 can beactivated so that different colors of visible light can be emitted fromthe outer lens 110 and observed by vehicle occupants. For example, inthe embodiment where the first and second photoluminescent structures116, 118 are red-emitting and green structures, respectively, and lightsource 128 is a blue LED, it is possible to produce various coloredlights found in the RGB color space. This can be accomplished byselecting which of the light sources 120, 122, 128 to activate as wellas adjusting the amount of electrical power supplied thereto via pulsewidth modulation (PWM) or direct current control. It is contemplatedthat the wavelength or color of the light outputted from the outer lens110 can be set automatically or by a vehicle occupant through a userinput mechanism (e.g. user input mechanism 66).

Vehicle Sun Visor

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, a vehicle lighting system 134 is illustratedaccording to one embodiment. The system 134 includes a sun visor 136having a visor body 138 that is movable between a stored position (FIG.14) and a use position (FIG. 15). In the illustrated embodiment, the sunvisor 136 is assembled to a vehicle roof structure 140 and generallyabuts thereagainst in the stored position and suspends downwardtherefrom in the use position to block sunlight and thereby prevent avehicle occupant 142 from being dazzled. Additionally, the visor body138 can include a vanity mirror 144 as well as other accessoriescommonly associated with sun visors.

With respect to the illustrated embodiment, a photoluminescent structure146 is coupled to a surface 148 of the visor body 138 that generallyfaces the vehicle occupant 142 when the visor body 138 is moved to theuse position. As best shown in FIG. 13, the photoluminescent structure146 can be applied to a substantial portion of the unoccupied space ofthe surface 148. However, it should be appreciated that thephotoluminescent structure 146 can occupy a smaller portion of thesurface 148 if desired. Furthermore, portions of the photoluminescentstructure 146 may be masked to display an insignia.

Referring still to FIGS. 13-15, a light source 150 is located remotelyfrom the visor body 138. As shown, the light source 150 can be coupledto the roof structure 140 and oriented to excite the photoluminescentstructure 146 when the visor body 138 is in the use position.Additionally, the light source 150 can be sunken into the roof structure140 to remain hidden from view and can be powered via power source 151(e.g. onboard power supply). In this manner, the photoluminescentstructure 146 and the light source 150 can be used together as a vanitylight and allows the sun visor 136 to be constructed free from anyelectrical components and wiring, thereby providing a simpler and morecost effective design. Furthermore, by virtue of the positioning of thelight source 150, light emitted therefrom that is reflected off thevisor body 138 is unlikely to enter the field of view of the vehicleoccupant 142. With respect to the vehicle lighting system 134 describedand shown herein, it should be understood that the light source 150 andthe photoluminescent structure 146 can take on any of the front-litconfigurations described previously herein. That is, the light source150 can include one or more LEDs and the photoluminescent structure 146can include one or more photoluminescent materials formulated to convertlight received from a corresponding LED into visible light of adifferent wavelength.

As is further shown in FIGS. 13-15, the vehicle lighting system 134 caninclude a proximity switch or proximity sensor 152 for activating thelight source 150 in response to a signal change. The proximity sensor152 can be magnetic, capacitive, infrared, the like, and combinationsthereof. Additionally or alternatively, the light source 150 can beactivated via a mechanical switch.

In the illustrated embodiment, the proximity sensor 152 is configured todetect the visor body 138 in the stored position and activate the lightsource 150 when the visor body 138 is no longer detected. The proximitysensor 152 is shown as a magnetic switch embedded in the roof structure140 that is actuated by a magnet 154 embedded in the visor body 138. Themagnet 154 can be located towards an end of the visor body 138 andaligns itself with the magnetic switch when the visor body 138 is in thestored position. In that position, the magnet 154 applies a magneticfield to the magnetic switch that causes a pair of contacts 156, 158 toopen, thereby deactivating the light source 150. Alternatively, when thevisor body 138 is moved to the use position, the magnetic field ceasesto be present and the contacts 156, 158 are returned to a closedposition, thereby causing the light source 150 to become activated andexcite the photoluminescent structure 146 by activating the light source150.

Accordingly, a photoluminescent structure and various vehicle lightingsystems employing the same have been provided herein. Each systemadvantageously employs one or more photoluminescent structures toenhance a driving experience and/or general appearance of a vehiclefixture.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle reading lamp comprising: an outer lens;a first surface and a second surface positioned behind the outer lens; afirst photoluminescent structure coupled to the first surface and asecond photoluminescent structure coupled to the second surface; and afirst light source for exciting the first photoluminescent structure anda second light source for exciting the second photoluminescentstructure.
 2. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond surfaces are disposed opposite one another and are each orientedat an acute angle relative to the outer lens.
 3. The vehicle readinglamp of claim 2, wherein the first surface is configured to redirectbackscattered light originating from the first photoluminescentstructure towards the outer lens and the second surface is configured toredirect backscattered light originating from the secondphotoluminescent structure towards the outer lens.
 4. The vehiclereading lamp of claim 1, wherein the first photoluminescent structurecontains a red-emitting photoluminescent material and the secondphotoluminescent structure contains a green-emitting photoluminescentmaterial.
 5. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 4, wherein the first andsecond light sources are each one of a side-emitting blue LED and aside-emitting ultraviolet LED.
 6. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 5,further comprising a third light source for directly illuminating theouter lens, wherein the third light source is a blue emitting LED and isdisposed between the first surface and the second surface.
 7. Thevehicle reading lamp of claim 6, wherein the outer lens is configured todiffuse light received from the first photoluminescent structure, thesecond photoluminescent structure, and the third light source.
 8. Avehicle reading lamp comprising: an outer lens; a first surface and asecond surface positioned behind the outer lens; a firstphotoluminescent structure containing red-emitting photoluminescentmaterial and coupled to the first surface; a second photoluminescentstructure containing green-emitting photoluminescent material andcoupled to the second surface; and a first LED for exciting thered-emitting photoluminescent material and a second LED for exciting thegreen-emitting photoluminescent material.
 9. The vehicle reading lamp ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second surfaces are disposed opposite oneanother and are each oriented at an acute angle relative to the outerlens.
 10. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 9, wherein the first surfaceis configured to redirect light received from the first photoluminescentstructure towards the outer lens and the second surface is configured toredirect light received from the second photoluminescent structuretowards the outer lens.
 11. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 10,wherein the first LED is one of a side-emitting blue LED and aside-emitting ultraviolet LED and is coupled to the first surface andthe second LED is one of a side-emitting blue LED and a side-emittingultraviolet LED and is coupled to the second surface.
 12. The vehiclereading lamp of claim 11, further comprising a third LED for directlyilluminating the outer lens, wherein the third LED is a blue emittingLED and is disposed between the first surface and the second surface.13. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 12, wherein the outer lens isconfigured to diffuse light originating from the first photoluminescentstructure, the second photoluminescent structure, and the third LED. 14.A vehicle reading lamp comprising: an outer lens; at least one surfacepositioned behind the outer lens; at least one photoluminescentstructure coupled to the at least one surface; and at least one lightsource for projecting light onto the at least one photoluminescentstructure, wherein the at least one photoluminescent structure convertsthe projected light into an output light of a visible color that isemitted towards the outer lens, wherein the at least one surfacecomprises a first and a second surface disposed opposite one another andeach oriented at an acute angle relative to the outer lens.
 15. Thevehicle reading lamp of claim 14, wherein the at least one light sourcecomprises a first LED for projecting light onto the first surface and asecond LED for projecting light onto the second surface.
 16. The vehiclereading lamp of claim 15, further comprising a third LED disposedbetween the first surface and the second surface and configured todirectly illuminate the outer lens.
 17. The vehicle reading lamp ofclaim 16, wherein the first and second surfaces are each part of acorresponding printed circuit board configured to redirect backscatteredlight towards the outer lens.
 18. The vehicle reading lamp of claim 17,wherein the outer lens is a light diffusing optic.
 19. The vehiclereading lamp of claim 18, further comprising a processor for controllinga light output of each of the first, second, and third LEDs.